Extreme violence. Hardcore sexuality. Shocking smart, cynical satire. Paul Verhoeven is a Dutch filmmaker who took the Hollywood blockbuster by the horns and utterly subverted it - while making some of the most kick-ass movies ever.

From Captain America to Darkseid, the entirety of modern superhero stories owe a debt to Jack Kirby. And his immense influence extends well beyond the four color pages, deep into the heart of American pop culture. As THE AVENGERS opens we pay tribute to the genius behind it all.

The latest inductee into the Badass Hall of Fame is a woman whose writing has impacted milions of young lives, and whose books continue to be banned from libraries across the country. Are you there, Judy? You're a badass.